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Procedures and guidance for Muslim burial funerals

Grave preparation

Prior to the burial, graves are excavated by our gravediggers. The little stones are placed at the side of the grave. The plastic membrane and the concrete lids are removed. Four spades are left for later use.

The pre cast vaults are already in position.

Arrival of the deceased

It is important that the body of the deceased arrives at the grave by the specified time. If the time cannot be adhered to the cemetery office should be informed. The is an additional charge for funerals arriving late.

Also please note that if cemetery staff have other commitments to attend to for other funerals, the burial cannot be guaranteed to go ahead. If the funeral is late, the council reserves the right to postpone and re arrange the next day.

Lowering the deceased

Where possible there should be a nominated Muslim community representative present to ensure the smooth running of the burial.

For all interments, you should consider the method of lowering the deceased very carefully. You will need to ensure there are sufficient bearers to carry and lower the deceased into the grave. The lowering of the coffin must take place in a controlled and dignified manner. Risk assessments or lowering coffins into graves are available on request from the cemetery office.

The gravediggers have a discreet presence at the burial to check that everything required is in place, including slings. It is not safe or sensible for anyone to enter the grave, so slings are used to lower the deceased.

Covering the chamber

After the coffin has been lowered into the vault the straps are removed and the concrete flagstones replaced on top of the vault. The membrane is then placed on top followed by replacing the little stones.

Finally the wooden frame is put in position and filled with the soil provided at the side of the grave.

Concrete flagstones are heavy and can be awkward to move, particularly if they are wet and difficult to hold. It is recommended to wear globes and take extreme care around the open vault.

Placing soil on the grave

In many cases, families wish to place the soil on the grave themselves. Our on site staff leave the spades and are available to assist if necessary.

Great care must be taken to ensure that families and mourners are not injured while returning soil to the grave, as accidents and injuries can occur. This is particularly true when too many people try to do this at the same time and get in each others way. For this reason, we recommend only two people put the soil on at any one time.

We recommend that suitable footwear is worn to prevent injury and bare feet are not allowed under any circumstances.

After the ceremony the gravediggers will remove the spades and tidy the area.

Burial assistance

If you do need help or advice please contact Bury cemetery office on 0161 253 6510.

You can also get advice from a Funeral Director, Mosque or community representative.

Out of hours burials

For burials outside of normal working hours, such as Friday afternoon, weekend or Bank holidays please call our out of hours service..

For funerals to take place on the same day Monday to Thursday the burial must be booked in and paperwork received before 12noon. On Fridays, weekends and Bank holidays they must be booked in for 10am and paperwork received before 11am.

All burials outside of normal working hours will incur an additional charge and you must have the legal certificate of burial before booking a funeral.